Women in Entertainment Power 100

Never Miss A Story.

Daily Edition

'Batman: The Killing Joke': See Mark Hamill in the Studio Ready to Sing as The Joker (Exclusive)

The soundtrack for the R-rated animated film hits stores July 22.

This soundtrack is no joke.

Ahead of the release of Batman: The Killing Joke, Heat Vision has an exclusive preview of the soundtrack to the R-rated, animated film. The eerie end credits song (available below) closes out the anticipated adaptation of Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's classic 1988 graphic novel.

The soundtrack also features something Batman fans have been waiting decades for — Mark Hamill's Joker singing "I Go Looney," which will bring an iconic point from the graphic novel to life. (He'll have you believing "life is swell in a padded cell.")

The score was recorded using a live orchestra and composed by talents DC fans should be familiar with: Its composers are Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter and Michael McCuistion, known for work on projects such as Justice League, Batman Beyond and Young Justice. And many of the musicians who recorded the score for the classic 90s Batman: The Animated Series returned for the soundtrack.

The adaptation has long been anticipated by fans, and its R-rating has added to the buzz surrounding the animated film, which follows The Joker from his early days to his first meeting with Batman (Kevin Conroy) to years later, when the Clown Prince of Crime escapes Arkham and seeks to prove that any man can be driven insane by one bad day — even Commissioner Gordon (Ray Wise).

"Bruce and Sam are deeply sensitive to the effect of music on the scenes," says Carter said in a statement. "During our meetings, we would discuss what was happening not only onscreen, but also what was NOT onscreen that the music can support. Communicating what the characters are thinking and feeling is one of the most powerful uses of music in film, and it was a joy to collaborate with film makers that want to find just the right tone to help tell the story."

Batman: The Killing Joke - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is on sale July 22 on digital platforms from WaterTower Music and on CD from La-La Land Records.. Batman: The Killing Joke hits stores Aug. 2 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and is available on digital HD July 26.